Federal Agencies Release Strategic Sustainability Performance Plans

Federal agencies recently released Strategic Sustainability Performance Plans that outline how they will achieve the environmental, economic, and energy goals called for in Executive Order 13514 (Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance) signed by President Obama in October. These individualized plans align with each agency’s mission and responsibilities and demonstrate the Federal Government’s continued commitment to “lead by example” in providing sustainable solutions to environmental issues.

Sustainability Plans can be found at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/sustainability/plans

(SOURCE: The White House Council on Environmental Quality)

President Obama Signs Executive Order Officially Forming Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force

 On October 5th, President Obama signed the executive order officially forming gulf coast ecosystem restoration task force. Its mission is to coordinate efforts to implement restoration programs and projects in the gulf coast region. The task force also will coordinate with the Department of Health and Human Services on public health issues and with other federal agencies on ways to enhance the economic benefits that ecosystem restoration will bring to the region.

“The president has made clear that he wants restoration plans to come from the gulf coast, and not be imposed on the gulf residents by Washington. We’re counting on the people who know these areas best -- the people who call the gulf home -- to shape our work,” EPA Administrator and Task Force Chair Lisa P. Jackson explained in this EPA press release.



Related items: Read the full executive order



Crew planting Smooth Cordgrass on berms
made of dredged material from nearby Mississippi River
in Jefferson and Plaquemines Parishes, LA



 

DOE Releases Comprehensive Report on Offshore Wind Power in the United States

The Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) released a report that comprehensively analyzes the key factors impacting the deployment of offshore wind power in the United States. The report, "Large-Scale Offshore Wind Power in the United States: Assessment of Opportunities and Barriers," includes a detailed assessment of the Nation's offshore wind resources and offshore wind industry, including future job growth potential. The report also analyzes the technology challenges, economics, permitting procedures, and the potential risks and benefits of offshore wind power deployment in U.S. waters.

"Clean, renewable energy development that capitalizes on the Nation's vast offshore wind and water resources holds great promise for our clean energy future and our economy," said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu in this DOE press release.

Related items: Read the report’s executive summary

New York Times report: U.S. Military Orders Less Dependence on Fossil Fuels

“After a decade of waging wars in remote corners of the globe where fuel is not readily available, senior [military] commanders have come to see overdependence on fossil fuel as a big liability, and renewable technologies — which have become more reliable and less expensive over the past few years — as providing a potential answer. These new types of renewable energy now account for only a small percentage of the power used by the armed forces, but military leaders plan to rapidly expand their use over the next decade.

‘There are a lot of profound reasons for doing this, but for us at the core it’s practical,’ said Ray Mabus, the Navy secretary and a former ambassador to Saudi Arabia, who has said he wants 50 percent of the power for the Navy and Marines to come from renewable energy sources by 2020.”

Read the full New York Times article

Department of Energy Launches Cool Roof Initiative

Department of Energy Launches Cool Roof Initiative

Photo Courtesy Of Idaho National Laboratory

U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced a series of initiatives underway at the Department of Energy to more broadly implement cool roof technologies on DOE facilities and buildings across the federal government. Cool roofs use lighter-colored roofing surfaces or special coatings to reflect more of the sun’s heat, helping improve building efficiency by reducing cooling costs and offsetting carbon emissions. More.

Click for more information about cool roofs.